Kids, parents get back to nature at Bay Village family campout

Will Fowler of Bay Village pets an Eastern rat snake as Keith and Kim Sperling of Olmsted Falls look on.

In the middle of the animal presentation at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Family Campout June 22, an unexpected guest arrived. As the children studied a brown- and gray-flecked barred owl — named as such, they learned, because of the “barred” horizontal markings on its chest — another creature made its presence known.

“Hi, baby deer!” the children said.

A family of three white-tailed deer, including two fawns, paused around the top of the wooded amphitheater where the families sat, then bounded off into the valley behind the Nature Center.

Such is the daily order of business when humans venture back into the wild.

In fact, a number of families hoped to do just that when they arrived at the Family Campout, one of many in the Nature Center’s 52-year history. Parents and their children brought their tents to literally camp out in the field across from the Nature Center, after a night featuring activities like a nature hike, campfire stories and a visit to the planetarium.

“It’s about getting back to basics and being together outside,” said Maggie Watson, the educational program specialist who happened to be leading the animal presentation when the deer appeared. “I love helping create these memorable experiences for these families.”

After the children and parents were introduced to a barred owl, an eastern rat snake, a skunk and a box turtle, they went on a hike through parts of the Huntington Reserve, where they learned how to identify poison ivy, spotted a number of forest habitats and learned the names of different trees.

They later ate s’mores and listened to campfire stories, before getting into their pajamas and heading into the planetarium to spot some constellations. After that, families heeded the call of the wild and returned to their tents to begin the overnight campout.

“Some kids will never get to go camping, be outdoors like this. This is an inexpensive way to get that experience,” said Andrea Schwartz, education program specialist.

Added Frank Colosimo, visitor experience and communication coordinator, “We like to get to see parents and children together, making this connection. A child can look at something, and then turn and see mom and dad just as excited about an owl, a snake, a deer. It’s just a better bond.”

For some of the center’s littlest visitors, however, their favorite things about the campout were even simpler.

“The moon!” said Will Fowler, a little boy from Bay Village. “Fire!”

Asked why, he replied: “Because it gives you s’mores!”

The Nature Center will host a family picnic on Aug. 3 featuring a number of similar, child-friendly nature activities.

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